Last Minute Changes / News

Plans: Scotland (Dornie): 28 May-04 June (see below); Peak District: 18-22 August (see below).

Cow parsley, hawthorn blossom and buttercups - and an explosion of insect life: see Nature Blog 

Prom 68 at Royal Albert Hall

The booking for this year's BBC Prom has just opened.  A group of walkers are going to four
Proms.  Today is the last in the series.  You can either book a ticket, click here or just prom on the day.  As usual, we will meet on the steps of Albert Memorial opposite RAH (weather permitting) from 6pm for pre-concert picnic.  Programme below

R. Strauss
Don Juan 18’

Death and Transfiguration 26’

Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A major 38’

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko conductor
                       

Posted on behalf of Jon G

Peak District 4-Dayer (or 5, or 3, or Weekend, or Daytrip)

Assuming trains run as they usually do (we will know late in May):

Saturday SWC 302 Bamford to Edale via Win Hill and Great Ridge

Sunday SWC 315  Hathersage Circular via Bretton Clough and Eyam

Monday SWC 303 Edale Circular via Kinder Scout and Mam Tor

Tuesday SWC 304 Kinder Scout Circuit from Edale

Wednesday A Recce Walk, likely: Hathersage Circular via Higger Tor/Carl Wark, Padley Gorge and Grindleford

Convenient accommodation is available along the Hope Valley Line in New Mills, Chinley, Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage, Grindleford, Dore, Sheffield.

Prom 37 at Royal Albert Hall

The booking for this year's BBC Prom has just opened.  A group of walkers are going to four
Proms.  Today is the third in the series.  You can either book a ticket, click here, or just prom on the day.  As usual, we will meet on the steps of Albert Memorial opposite RAH (weather permitting) from 6pm for pre-concert picnic.  Programme below

Haydn
The Creation – Chaos 6’

Bernstein
Symphony No. 1, ‘Jeremiah’ 25’

Mahler
Symphony No. 1 in D major 56’

Elizabeth DeShong mezzo-soprano
Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome
Sir Antonio Pappano conductor

Posted on behalf of Jon G

Prom 22 at Royal Albert Hall

The booking for this year's BBC Prom has just opened.  A group of walkers are going to four Proms.  Today is the second in the series.  You can either book a ticket, click here or just prom on the day.  As usual, we will meet on the steps of Albert Memorial opposite RAH (weather permitting) from 6pm for pre-concert picnic.  Programme below

Haydn
Symphony No. 104 in D major, ‘London’ 29’

Vaughan Williams
A London Symphony (Symphony No. 2) 50’

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Manze conductor

Posted on behalf of Jon G

Prom 15 at Royal Albert Hall

The booking for this year's BBC Prom has just opened.  A group of walkers are going to four Proms.  Today is the first in the series.  You can either book a ticket, click here or just prom on the day.  As usual, we will meet on the steps of Albert Memorial opposite RAH (weather permitting) from 6pm for pre-concert picnic. Programme below

Tansy Davies
What Did We See? (orchestral suite from ‘Between Worlds’) c20’
BBC commission: world premiere

Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, ‘Emperor’ 38’

Brahms
Symphony No. 2 in D major 42’

Paul Lewis piano
BBC Philharmonic
Ben Gernon conductor

Posted on behalf of Jon G

"As You Like it" in Regent's Park outdoor theatre

I thought it would be a nice idea to post a Social to watch "As You Like It" in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and Lucilla has suggested we have a picnic in the Park beforehand

So the date and time are: 18th July 2018 for the 7:45pm performance.

You may find out more about the event here and I'll add  details about the picnic shortly.

Please bear in mind that tickets sell fairly quickly so you'll need to book soon!

Nearest Tube Stations are Baker Street, Regent's Park and Great Portland Street.  Marylebone train station is also near by.

Saturday Walk - Roses in Bloom: Mottisfont to Romsey (Mottisfont Abbey Gardens, West Hampshire Chalk Downs, Dun & Test Valleys, Romsey)

Length: 22.2 km (13.9 mi) [much shorter options available]

Ascent/Descent: 310 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 5 hours

Toughness:  5 out of 10

09.20 Exeter St. David’s & Bristol Temple Meads train from Waterloo (CJ 09.27), changing at Salisbury  for Chandlers Ford (arrives 10.42; departs 10.56, platform 6), arrives Mottisfont & Dunbridge 11.14.

Alternatively, if you want to beat the group by 10 minutes: 09.05  Weymouth train from Waterloo (CJ 09.12), changing at Southampton Airport [Parkway] for Salisbury (arrives 10.13; departs same platform 10.25; café across the overbridge), arrives Mottisfont & Dunbridge 11.04.
Return trains are at xx.07 via Southampton Airport [Parkway] (102 mins journey time) or at xx.21 via Salisbury (118 mins journey time).

Buy a Romsey return if travelling out via Salisbury, or a Mottisfont & Dunbridge return if travelling out via Southampton.

This walk explores woods and rolling chalk hills in the Dun and (Lower) Test Valleys of remote West Hampshire. An early highlight is the NT-owned (and ticketed) Mottisfont Abbey, a historical priory and country estate, with an arm of the River Test, Hampshire's longest and finest chalk stream, running through the stunning grounds, which also include a famous walled rose garden, trompe-l’oeil murals from Rex Whistler, and several lunch options. Walk back past the 12^th century St. Andrew's church, one of the few Grade I-listed churches, and follow the waymarked Mottisfont Estate Path. The route incorporates all the important features of the estate, mainly varied ancient woodlands but also some managed for timber or coppicing, historical farmland and the Dun River Meadows. After lunch in Dunbridge the route gets a little more undulating, as the Test River is followed – mostly from a distance – all the way to Romsey, a picturesque market town. You pass all its sights: Romsey Abbey, a beautiful church the size of a cathedral, the War Memorial Park, the medieval King John’s House and Tudor Cottage, some narrow historical lanes and an exhausting selection of tea and pub stops.

Three shorter options are described.

Lunch: The Mill Arms Inn in Dunbridge  (11.1 km/6.9 mi, food all day). On the short walk options: within the grounds of Mottisfont Abbey or a little off-route at the The Bear and Ragged Staff.

Tea: Romsey has an abundance of good quality cafes, bistros, pubs and restaurants. See page 2 and pages 9 and 10 of the pdf for details.

For walk directions, summary, map, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.58